Retired, Relaxed, Ready!

“If the young only knew; if the old only could” muses the French proverb. Life’s ironic balance between wisdom and ability becomes more evident with the passing of time. From the perspective of a freshly retired 55-year-old, it seems there is a period of undetermined length in middle age, that provides an opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. A time to apply the wisdom gathered in a half century of life lessons, while still being sufficiently energetic and fit to enjoy some of it’s adventures.

In this sandwich stage of life – with many of us busily positioned between adult children, grandchildren, and health-failing parents – we have a unique perspective that allows for a measure of recollection, understanding, and appreciation of both directions in the life cycle. At this stage, we’re young enough to remember the promises, joys, and challenges of youth. Many of us have raised children and find ourselves adjusting to a new dynamic at home. We have ended, or are approaching the end of our working lives. We’ve experienced, in many cases, the loss of parents. We’ve witnessed, close up, the harsh and inevitable realities facing the elderly as bodies or minds weaken and medication and health care dependency become part of life.

This blog will provide a series of stories and perspectives from personal experiences and observations involving childhood, adulthood, and middle age. It will share some views on transitioning out of the workplace through the eyes of a new retiree. It will offer some thoughts on parenting, and life changes for empty nesters. It will discuss some of the wins, losses, and adjustments the mid-life brings to sports, fitness, and recreation. It will explore the impact of technology and the meteoric growth of social media. It will also examine the realities and prospects for the senior years as the baby boom bulge makes it’s way toward old age.

I hope some of these posts will be found humourous and entertaining, and others, poignant and enlightening.

5 comments

You won’t believe how long and great retirement is as long as you have good Doctors and a young attitude. Ball doesn’t go as far but usually straighter and if not who cares.
Great idea from such a young good looking “Lion” and “cow”.

Congrats on what is sure to be a fun, fulfilling and interesting adventure! I hope you will still have time for your traditional family dinner toasts – always well considered as no doubt your posts on Silver Fox Wise will be.

Dad,
Congratulations on your new blogging adventure! I am proud of you for taking a leap and doing what you love.
I just wanted to say that from the perspective of a young adult just starting my own new stage in life, getting married and eventually having a family if my own, and also having to say goodbye to some very special and admirable family members, I’ve really come to appreciate everything you and mom have done for us. You definitely achieved your parenting philosophy of providing us with everything we needed and half of what we want. It’s something I will carry with me when I have children of my own.
I wish you all the success in the world with your blog, and hope the people reading will find your posts as interesting as I have found your stories over the past 27 years! Love you.

Derrick, The writing talent certainly didn’t stop with Jim and I am looking forward to reading your blog as you share your life experiences and maybe get some pointers in the transition to retirement which will come to me in a couple of years.